Tube expander



J. WALKER TUBE EXPANDER Aug. 1927.

Filed Aug. 28. 1922 61M no,

Patented Aug. ,9 1927.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WALKER, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR ONE-FOURTH TO PETER O. DQNNELL, OE ELIZAIBETH, NEW JERSEY.

TUBE EXPANDER. I 9

Application filed August 29, 1922. Serial No. 584,779.

This invention relates to tube expanders,

the primary object of the invention being to provide an expander especially designed,

for heavy work.

Another object of the invention is to provide an expander of this character wh ch may be readily moved in a tube, expanding balls being provided to reduce friction between the expander and tube in which the same is working.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in out departing from the spirit ofthe invention. 7

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of anexpander constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

2 is a plan view of the expander the securing plates thereof being removed. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the expander.

Fig. 4 is a transverse through the expander, the expanding rolls and balls being removed.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the expander. Y

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designates the body portion of the expander, which maybe formed of suitable material, the same being shown provided with openings 6 extending from one end thereof and terminating at points intermediate the ends of the body, as clearly shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing.

Disposed in proximity to the roller openings 6 are the ball openings 7, in which the balls 8 are positioned, the diameters of the balls 8 being greater than the depths of the openings to allow portions of theballs .to extend beyond the periphery of the body sectional view portion 5, which is preferably circular in cross section.

Positioned in the opening 6 are rollers 9 which also have portions'thereof extending beyond the periphery of the body 5 to con tact with the pipe or tube under operation.

The reference, character. 10 designates the securing plate which is secured to one end of the body portion 5 as by means of the bolts 11, the securing plate contacting with the outerends of the rollers 9 to secure the rollers within their openings and insure against displacement.

he balls 8 are held within the openings 7, by ,means of the springarms 12 which are shown as contacting with the balls, the tensions of the spring armsbeingsuch as to force the balls into engagement with the inner walls of their openings. The expander is formed with a central opening indicated at 13.

, In the use of the device the body portion is forced into one end of the tubeto be expanded, a slight rotary movement being impartedto the body portion 5 in any suitable manner. Due to the rollers and balls, it is obvious that'the expanding operation may be accomplished with comparatively little exertion on the part of the operator.

.lVhat is claimed is:

In a tube expander, a body portion having elongated openings extending from one end thereof, the openings being circular in formation and having one of their respective walls cut away, rollers within the openings, a securing plate removably secured to one end of the body portion andcontacting with the rollers to hold the rollers within the lateral openings.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

JAMES WALKER. 7

being' curved, and means for holding balls within 

